Prayer Rally in Richmond     4/14/2008
By Leslie Steddenbenz

Please join us at the Old Bell Tower on Thursday, April 17.

On Thursday, April 17, the Virginia Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for a case that will directly affect Virginia's Marriage Amendment and Defense of Marriage Act. Come join Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Virginia for a Prayer Rally that morning at 8:00 a.m. at the Old Bell Tower, Capitol Square, Richmond, Virginia (located at the corner of Bank and 9th Streets). The Court will hear arguments at 9:00 a.m., and a press conference will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Old Bell Tower following the hearing.

Matt Barber, CWA's Policy Director for Cultural Issues, will be on scene during the rally and at the subsequent press conference to answer questions. "What these judges decide will have a tremendous impact on one little girl and will have national ramifications beyond that," said Barber. "We know that the power of prayer is tremendous. We need to pray that these judges will have the wisdom to leave the definition of marriage and family in the hands of Virginians and not allow states like Vermont and Massachusetts to export their radical new age redefinition of these bedrock institutions."

This case involves Lisa Miller and her six-year-old daughter Isabella. Not only are parental rights in jeopardy here, but Virginia's Marriage Amendment and Defense of Marriage Act are at stake, as this case pits Virginia's laws against the liberal laws of the state of Vermont.

Lisa was and is a Virginia resident. She and another woman went to Vermont to enter into a "civil union." They returned to Virginia, and Lisa became pregnant with Isabella. Lisa then became a Christian, left the relationship and dissolved the civil union in Vermont. Now, the other woman wants visitation and sole custody. However, Lisa is the rightful, legitimate mother of Isabella. The other woman never adopted Isabella, nor did she want to do so.

The Vermont Courts have ruled that visitation must occur under very specific terms and conditions, and if those conditions are not met by Lisa, then the Court will award sole custody to the other woman. Visitation includes weekend visits in Vermont - a logistical nightmare for a gainfully employed Lisa and a first grader.

Earlier, Virginia's court of appeals ruled in Vermont's favor, which resulted in this case being appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court.

Will the Virginia Supreme Court uphold Virginia's Marriage Amendment and Defense of Marriage Act or will the Court declare that Vermont has jurisdiction over the people of Virginia? Which state's laws will prevail? Will same-sex "marriage" and "civil unions" become the law of the land because of this case? If this concerns you, please get involved. The future of marriage in Virginia, and perhaps across the country, is at stake.

Join us as we pray that Virginia's Marriage Amendment and the Defense of Marriage Act will be protected and that this family not be separated by an activist judicial system.

CWA of Virginia is calling all Virginians to prayer and action! Please join us at the Old Bell Tower on Thursday, April 17. Also, please sign the prayer pledge for Lisa and Isabella Miller.

Printer Friendly Version

Recent Articles

Lesbian Activists Disrupt Smith College Speech

Hate Crimes Fears Realized

Kids Say, “Enough with the ‘Gay’ Stuff!”

Signature Goals Achieved In California!

Christians Counter "Day of Silence" with School Protest

Studies Demonstrate Abstinence Education Works

Pro-Family Coalition Urges “Day of Silence Walkout”

The Pregnant Man: A Short Tale

The Untold Story about Sally Kern

Prayer Rally for the Virginia Supreme Court!